EAST CLEVELAND FEDERATION

by Keith Simpson

1st Section 2,162 Birds For B & K Simpson

Brian Simpson of Skinningrove with Bob Scott of the Elm Park FC, on their Belgium visit earlier this year (see text).

   The Up North Combines 2008-racing season came to a close on Saturday 20th September, when the East Cleveland Federations 77 members entry of 1,245 birds were liberated from Selby (3) at 10.30am into a light South West wind. It was one of the best days weather wise, of the season with plenty of sunshine around. It’s a shame the other eight young birds races were not as good, that way the fanciers would not have lost so many young birds. On a whole it was an all round poor season with the very poor weather getting the better of us on many occasions this year, as always the young birds were hit the hardest. Like many other fanciers, I believe most of the losses came when the grouping changed. The longest and shortest flying youngsters liberated together proved fatal for numerous fanciers, the tail winds that sent many babies over the top and their need to get back home with the next liberated group coming towards them was too much for a lot of the young birds. With the help of the likes of Clubmate Gerry Alderson and Brian Storr of Whitby fame, we helped over 60 youngsters on their way after dropping at our lofts. Brian and myself used to take the birds to work and get lads from different parts of the UNC to liberate them close to their lofts. Brian would also collect the GB babies up and get them liberated as close to their loft as possible. I just hope the fanciers who said something has got to be done about young bird losses, take it to Federation level when the meetings of the UNC agenda comes up. I’m not going to sort it out sat here, but bear in mind this problem is not going to go away.

   Now that I have put the Pigeon world to rights I’d better get on with the result, before racing gets underway again. Starting at Skinningrove where B & K Simpson and loft helper Gor-Gor the 1st Club and 1st Fed Melton Mowbray winners’ tops the Club charts. With Brian & Keith’s red card winner being a flying to the perch blue pied Huybregt x Van Reet cock bred by Mr & Mrs John & Cathy Richardson of the Brotton 6 Bird Club for the Brotton H/S breeder/buyer. With a pole position vel of 1689 the very well bred cock who scored 2nd Club, 4th Fed and 5th Section Peterborough (2) went onto win 1st East Cleveland Federation and 1st North Yorks & East Cleveland Section from a convoy of 2,162 birds. Congratulations on Brian & Keith winning 1st Fed and Section, also winning the Club young bird average and the Club and Fed combined averages. White Bros timed a couple of youngsters to lift 2nd and 4th with the blue card going to a blue Busschaert/Soontjen x Ferry Van Loo/Soontjen hen doing 1678 to chalk up 3rd Fed and Section. Second in the clock for Malc & Stuart came a dark cheq Mike & Lee Prokopowicz x Soontjen cock making 1672 to pocket 5th Fed and Section. Keith Wren & Margaret Stone the 1st Fed and Section Peterborough (2) and 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Fed, 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Section Maidstone winners are in 3rd spot, with their green card potter achieving 1674 to net 4th Fed and Section. Keith & Margaret rounded off the season by enjoying a great day after timing another four babies in just over a minute to net 6th, 9th, 13th and 19th Fed and Section on 1671, 1669, 1662 and 1634. Mike Prokopowicz, son Lee & Ewens filled no fewer than four cells to take 8th, 10th, 14th and 18th Fed and Section on 1669, 1665, 1648 and 1637. Mike & Lee’s first timer was a cheq Jos Thorn x Herman/Van Loon hen, her sire won 4th UNC Lillers (1) this season and the dam is a G/Dtr of 5521 x Billy’s Cock. In cell two came a cheq Marcelis x Huybregt cock bred out of the duo’s Bowers, Son & Wilson stock, the sire is the previous winner of 1st and 2nd Club and other positions and the dam has 6 positions in the first 20 in the Fed to her credit. Third in the clock was a blue pied Herman/ Van Loon x Herman/Van Loon x Van Reet cock who is the son of a cock purchased from Bill Heslop, while the dam is a Dtr of 5521 x Billy’s cock. Mike & Lee’s fourth timer was a Marcelis x Huybregt the same way bred of the lads second timer. Tich Richards & Alice Marsay the 2nd Club, 3rd Fed and Section Selby (2) scorers notch up 15th Fed and Section on 1647. Thanks to the Skinningrove members for filling in the info sheets throughout the 2008 season.   

   Kev Locker, Kev Breckon & Chris Vasey timed four birds to win 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th at Loftus, to win the Club young bird average to go with the old bird inland average, champion young bird and the combined average. Top spot was won by the lads inform blue Belgium cock bred by good friend Jos Halen; with a chart-topping vel of 1684 the 3x1st winning cock went onto score 2nd Fed and 2nd Section. The cocks first of three wins was achieved at Selby (2) where he netted 11th Fed and Section, win number two was chalked up at Peterborough (1) when he went onto pocket 5th Fed. As you can see the cock has flown outstandingly, not only winning 3x1st Clubs but also scoring three top Fed positions to show his class. Second to be timed was a blue pied Kris Cleirbaut hen doing 1662 that was enough to lift 12th Fed and Section, the hen is carding for the second time as she netted 4th Club Peterborough (2). The yellow was potted by a Nigel Laycock cock who scored 4th Club, 18th Fed and 21st Section Maidstone National when beaten by 2 loftmates that won 1st and 3rd Club, 6th and 17th Fed, 6th and 18th Section. The boys next timer was a cheq pied cock who won 4th Club and 21st Fed Mansfield (1) and 1st Fed Mansfield (2). The sire of the cock who scored twice as a young bird is off a Brother to the 1st UNC Gold Medal winning Just A Kid, while the dam is full Sister to the 1st UNC Gold Medal winning Just A Lad. The partnerships outstanding performances earned them r/u young bird Fed average. Keith Arkless, son Matthew & John ‘The Cat’ Mead are in 3rd spot with the green card being awarded to a cheq pied hen bred by Quarry Lofts for the Celtic breeder/buyer, with a vel of 1642 the darkened down cock went onto net 16th Fed and Section which was enough to win the Fed young bird average. The lads also take 6th Club with a darkened down Henry Custers x Terry Craggs Van Loon widowhood cock bred by Terry Craggs; the cock also potted the green at Melton Mowbray. Keith, Matthew & John who take r/u Club young bird average are the second Loftus loft to fly an outstanding youngster, their blue widowhood cock flown on the darkness system bred out of Craggs, Son & G/Son x Graham, Gilchrist & Brennan flew outstanding scoring 3rd Club, 9th Fed and 26th Section Selby (1); 2nd Club, 4th Fed and Section Mansfield (1) when beaten by a loftmate that won 1st Club, 3rd Fed and Section; 4th Club, 7th Fed was netted at Mansfield (2). The loft of Locker, Breckon & Vasey, and the Arkless, Son & Mead partnership has taken their Club and Fed by storm this season. Congratulation lads on a fantastic young bird season. Thanks to Tony Trattles for getting the info to me every week.     

   Moving onto Brotton H/S where we see the inform loft of Mr & Mrs Bob & Barbara Moore record their fourth young bird win from nine starts from a ten members entry of 248 birds and 1 trainer. Leading the way by over 2 minutes was a Busschaert out of the Old 42 achieving 1665 to score 11th Fed and Section. The red card winner scored 17th Fed Selby (1) when there were 1,957 birds competing, and won 1st Club and 7th Fed Melton Mowbray. Bob & Barbara’s other two wins came at Peterborough (1) when 7th Fed was netted out of 2,588 birds, the duo’s Maidstone red card winner chalked up 29th Fed and 33rd Section from a convoy of 2,832 birds. Mick Smithies who has enjoyed a great season since his retirement from work timed no less than three youngsters to take 2nd, 3rd and 6th. Mick the 1st Club, 12th Fed and 12th Section Mansfield (1) winner from a convoy of 5,874 birds first timer was a blue Herman x Van Loon cock who is the previous scorer of 5th Club and 32nd Fed Selby (2) and 2nd Club, 16th Fed Mansfield (2). Frank Reilly & son Wayne the 1st Club and 14th Fed Mansfield (2) winners and the 1st Club, 14th Fed and 15th Section Peterborough (2) winners are in the yellow card position. The loft of Les Rees, Brian Stone & Brian McCormick who are starting to build a team together takes 5th place. Thanks go out to Terry Callan for gathering the info for me throughout the year.  

   The Marske & New Marske partnership of the late Jack Brown & Tony Hunt, who gets help around the loft from his wife Una, wins 1st Club, 17th Fed and 17th Section. Topping the charts for Tony & Una the 1st Club and 11th Fed Melton Mowbray winners was a 5-day sitting blue Verberck hen flown on the darkness system. Apologies to Tony for missing him off the Peterborough (2) report, where he timed a darkened down cheq Verberck cock sent feeding a 7-day old squeaker to lift 3rd; the cock had previously potted the green at Mansfield (2). I’d like to thank Tony for emailing the results to me again this season. Craig Wedgewood, who pocketed a fair amount of money in the NEHU Futurity Race, enjoyed a good clocking day after filling no fewer than three cells to lift 2nd, 4th and 5th. The blue card was awarded to a flying to the perch blue cock of Norwegian bloodlines, the cock flown on the darkness system achieved 1634 to go onto pot 20th Fed and 20th Section. Second in the clock for Craig was a darkened down blue Lister Bros & Pearce, Stockton Louis Cooremans hen flying to the perch. The third youngster to be timed was a flying to the perch cheq Louis Cooremans hen flown on the dicky dark. John Clayton, Son & Henry Ransome are in 3rd position with a darkened down Mr & Mrs Mike & Val Crooks bloodlines cheq Soontjen hen over sat 25-days. Geoff Bavin & Son are in 6th place after clocking a blue pied Brown & Hunt Verberck x Mike & Val Crooks Flor Engel hen sent sitting, this is the hens second chalk for she won 1st Club Selby (2).        

   One loft that will be well pleased with the way their young birds have performed the past few weeks, that loft in question is that of Mr & Mrs Graham ‘Golly’ & Linda Peirson and loft helper Alan Dunn. The partnership won their third young bird win of the campaign at the Brotton 6 Bird Club, with the red card winner being a blue Busschaert cock bred by Tubby Purver, Jim Hall & Partners, Skinningrove. The chart-topping cock bred through B & K Simpson x Gudgeon & Adams, South Shields bloodlines is scoring for the third time after scoring 3rd Club Melton Mowbray when beaten by a loftmate that won a most impressive 1st Club and 5th Fed when there were 2,846 birds competing. The cocks second chalk came the following week at Peterborough (1) when he won 1st Club and 30th Fed out of an entry of 2,588 birds. After winning 2x1st and 1x3rd Clubs the cock has really proved himself this season, he could well be one for the future. Golly had to move from his allotment at the beginning of the season, the lad managed to get a plot of land on the same gardens but the racing was well underway before he got his old bird settled to the new loft and up and racing. Part of the way through the season former fancier Alan Dunn offered to help Golly out at the loft, with Golly working and everyone always wanting to get hold of him through work, the offer was very much appreciated. The combination of new stock and Alan as loft helper could well see more improvement for Golly. Peter & Eric Marshall are in 2nd spot with a Busschaert gift bird bred by Clubmates Chukka Ovington & Bob Laker. Peter and his father Eric would like to thank Chukka & Lacker for the blue card scorer and the dark pied Wildemeersch cock that took 5th out of Peterborough (2). This is the second time Peter & Eric have being runner-up to Golly after they chalked up the blue at Peterborough (1). Darren J Waters is in 3rd place after timing a Keith Arkless, Son & Mead Marcelis x Chris Vasey Soontjen. Les ‘Maltese’ Cropper pots the yellow with a Huybregt. Thanks to Ricky Cush for doing the honours of getting the info throughout the 27-race programme. Ricky himself would like to pass on a few thank you messages on from the members, to myself for the great work I do for the Club, as he knows it must be a hard job. To hard working Secretary Barbara Moore who steered the members through another good year even though she had to look after husband Bob who had to go into hospital for a very serious operation, but now over the worst and back giving Ricky grief again, but it’s worth taking it to see Bob well again. Thanks to Ces Rawson who took over when Barbara couldn’t be there, thanks also to Brotton H/S secretary Terry Callan who does a brillient job for the members. On a personal note Ricky would like to thank his wife Denise for everything she does to help him with the birds, without her it would be difficult to say the least. To think I’ve being giving Ricky the credit for an outstanding season throughout the year and all comes to all its Denise I should have being praising.        

Golly Peirson of the Mr & Mrs Peirson partnership, holding the blue Busschaert cock that won 3rd Melton Mowbray, 1st Peterborough (1) and 1st Selby (3).

   Eric ‘Dabbit’ Leach, Mick Passmore & Terry Hopper won their fifth consecutive race at Boosbeck to record the partnerships seventh young bird win of the campaign. ‘The Three Amigos’ Filled three chambers to win 1st, 2nd and 3rd Club, with the red card being won by a blue flipey Van Loon x Wildemeersch cock bred by Mick and Joanne Dorgan and flown on the darkness system. Second in the clock was a blue Albert Breckon x Bowers, Son & Wilson Soontjen hen, and the blue card potter is scoring for the second time after winning Peterborough. The lads third timer was a slatey blue Busschaert x Wildemeersch cock bred by Mick & Joanne Dorgan; the cock is netting 3rd for the second time for he potted the green at Selby (2). Alan Paley & Son round off their first season back in the sport by netting 4th position. Not seen or heard Ralf Coates for a while, reports are coming in that he is pulling his hair out with his quite young bird season and given Popeye his comb. Thanks to Terry Hopper for making sure the info sheets got to me every week, I also send thanks to Mike Crooks of Staithes for emailing the info, the Club didn’t send this week. Neither did Liverton Mines whose results have gone to the wall since Shot Gun Kelly jumped on the rail track, the lad took too many sucker punches from the young bird average winning partnership of Trev & Jamie Lancaster & Brian Garbutt. Instead of moping around with his head stuck in the ground Shot Gun Kelly should have being taking up a early morning walk with Brian, he could have got fit and cleared his head at the same time while strolling along, and if he could have kept up with Brian he could have asked him for a few tips on how to fly young birds.

   No info from Skelton Green where Chapman, Sons & Swinburne timed two birds to win 1st and 2nd to record their eighth young bird win from nine races, with Bill, Colin & Steve’s red card winner that won the Club by 2 minutes achieving 1670 to chalk up 7th Fed and Section. Renty Shaw, Andy & Jackie Wynn also timed two babies to lift 3rd and 4th, while Brian Hodgeson & Son net 5th position. Steve Skidmore & son Bunny saved the best until last to win top spot at Lingdale.

   I’ll finish off the race report by going to the North Yorks Fed where 49 members sent 1,113 birds, the Dormanstown loft of Gent & Picknett timed a blue pied hen to in 1st Club, 1st Fed and 27th Section with a pole position vel of 1617. Congratulations to these two lads on a fantastic win. The partnership of J Bainbridge & Sons chalk up 2nd Club and 11th Fed with a cheq hen, while Bob Reed, Geoff & Scott Dexter clocked a red hen to net 3rd Club and 19th Fed. Moving onto the Redcar Central where Allen Hall timed a couple of blue hens to lift 2nd and 4th Club, 2nd and 15th Fed, the blue card potter that achieved 1602 went onto notch up 40th Section. Trevor and Ged Maltby takes 3rd Club and 4th Fed with a Belgium rung cheq hen; the duo clocked a second cheq hen to pocket 18th Fed. J Cooper is in 3rd spot with a cheq hen that went onto pot 6th Fed, while the comeback boys Paul Burniston & Son timed a blue cock to take 16th Fed. George Belski rounded off the Fed result by clocking a blue pied hen to lift 20th Fed. Jeff Moore & Sons (Anth) hit the winners’ enclosure at Guisborough with their blue hen scoring a notable 3rd Fed, to help the lads with the Club young bird average. Peter & Trevor Mitchell & Dave Drinkhall were in the frame with their cheq cock chalking up a useful 2nd Club and 5th Fed. The lads timed a blue hen and a pied hen in the space of 2-second to net 13th and 14th Fed to round off a good days racing. I can just picture Dave sat at the loft with his injured leg propped up on a stool, with a traffic cone in his hand, held to his mouth shouting instructions to Peter & Trevor.

Geoff Lynne takes 3rd Club and 7th Fed with a blue cock, 4th spot was taken by Katie & Mark Walton with their yellow card potting cheq cock going onto score 10th Fed. D Bird & Son topped the South Bank charts with their red card winning youngster going onto net 8th Fed. ‘The Pride Of Teesside’ Brownlee, Nee, Sons & Ward timed a blue cock to lift 2nd Club and 9th Fed. This partnership needs no introduction, for their performances over the years are second to none, sadly due to Malcolm & Peter Nee having to move from the land they have flown from since 1970, the lads are having a series of clearance sales. Brothers Malcolm & Peter have enjoyed great success with their outstanding family of Staf Van Reets, winning numerous Club and Federation averages over the years. Their performances at the very highest level have being breath taking in their time together, with “Champion Eddie” winning 1st Open Up North Combine 18,473 birds. “Blaze” 2nd UNC Open 17,000 birds; “Wing Commander” 2nd UNC Open 23,643 birds; “Tin Ribs” 3rd Open UNC 17,000 birds. “Squadron Leader” and “Test Pilot” winners of the best 2-bird performance from the two National races from a massive convoy of 49,000 birds competing in the UNC. Malcolm & Peter also purchased “Un Lucky” 1st Open UNC 24,000 birds from Mick Calvert and “Sappers Lad” 2nd UNC Open 25,000 birds from Derek Towers. Also in the sales will be Malcolm & Peter’s Holland’s No 1 Kees Bosua family. Make no mistake the Brownlee, Nee, Sons & Ward partnership have left behind a long trail of destruction behind with over the years. If you’re looking for a winning family, then these are the birds you should be looking at. Back to the race where the loft of Caswell & Jameson timed a couple of blue cocks in the space of 22-seconds to lift 3rd and 4th Club, 12th and 17th Fed. Keith ‘Squeaker’ & Kenny Homer & Davey Williams top the St Marys charts to round off their 1st UNC Gold Medal winning season on a high. While Mick Pallister & Williams also end their very impressive season in the red card position after winning pole position at Grangetown. Tony Cole wins at the Rectory Lane and wins the Club young bird average.

   I have added a couple of photos sent to me by John Weldon on the lads Belgium trip earlier this year. Brian Simpson the winner of the 1st Club, 1st Fed and 1st Section Selby (3) winning the Club young bird average and the Club and Fed combined averages to go with the Club and Fed old bird inland averages. Bob Scott of the Elm Park Flying Club, Essex the Clubs highest prizewinner in 2005, the lad was highest prize-winner again in 2006 winning 12x1st Clubs and 6x1st Feds. Bob was the Clubs top prizewinner for the third consecutive year in 2007 where the lad won 8x1st Clubs.

After The photo of Bam-Bam Watson in the young bird Maidstone National report, the lad has being offered a couple of rolls in panto this Christmas. Bam-Bam was stood next to a array of trophies on the Belgium trip, so straight away he was offered a part in Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty.

Barrie Bam-Bam Watson getting a bit of shuteye on the long journey home from Belgium (see text).

   With the last race of 2008 now done and dusted I’ll sign off until next time, any news to Good Corn at 139 Zetland Row Skinningrove Saltburn Cleveland TS13 4BN. Tel; 01287 643624 or Email; goodcorn@tiscali.co.uk